Time to Apply PRIA Standards Inside the Hangar

Episode 34

 

Air safety does not begin and end with pilots. It is impacted by everyone who has a role with a plane, including maintenance personnel. Flight Safety Detectives Greg Feith and John Goglia call for higher standards to be applied to all personnel whose jobs impact aviation safety.

 

The Pilot Records Improvement Act of 1996 (PRIA) requires that air carriers evaluate information about each pilot’s training, experience, qualification, and safety background. It is long past due that the same standard be applied to the people working in other roles on aircraft.

 

John and Greg look at the story behind the recent FAA announcement to check the engines of 737 jets idled by the pandemic. Far from an airframe issue, this illustrates the complex maintenance issues that are created when aircraft are stored. As discussed in previous episodes, all planes – from general aviation to airliners – should get an extensive check before they are returned to service.

 

They also revisit the crash of Air Midwest Flight 5481 in North Carolina. That crash was traced to an inexperienced mechanic as well as improper bag loading. Two issues outside of the cockpit made the job inside the cockpit impossible to perform.

 

Listen to this lively discussion that draws on years of experience to come to the call to tighten PRIA standards and apply them more broadly.